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Sunday’s game in a microcosm, said General Manager Steve Keim, came down to that 55-yard Steven Jackson run just a couple of plays into the game. It should have been for about five or six yards. Instead, Jackson rumbled all the way inside the Arizona 5-yard line, and Keim wasn’t thrilled to see how he got there.

“The 55-yard run says it all, particularly the way we played all day,” Keim said during his weekly appearance on the “Doug and Wolf” show on Arizona Sports 98.7. “A combination of poor fundamentals and bottom line, want-to. It should have been a six-yard run, and you had a couple guys come up, bounce off him, not wrap up and use proper fundamentals, and you had a couple guys who didn’t look like they wanted any part of it. Which is disappointing.

— Keim didn’t have any injury updates. To recap: Running back Andre Ellington suffered a hip injury (Bruce Arians called it a hip pointer) but didn’t think it was serious. Safety Tyrann Mathieu broke his left thumb and was wearing a cast after the game. Right guard Paul Fanaika suffered a high-ankle sprain.

— Keim thought the run game wasn’t good enough (no surprise). He thought the pass protection was above average, but he reiterated a familiar refrain on quarterback Drew Stanton, that ball placement and accuracy must improve (although he noted receivers don’t always run the right routes or run to the right depth, which impacts passing woes as well.) The Cards definitely can’t afford a play such as Michael Floyd’s fumble when the offense looks like it’s moving.

As for waiting for Stanton, the Cardinals need him to play better. They can’t afford to wait for Stanton to gain experience. There is also the reality of the situation and a reason Carson Palmer is the normal starter. “He’s got to make throws when he has to,” Keim said. “In the NFL, some of these tight-window throws not many guys can make. That’s exactly why there is a supply-and-demand at the position. It’s hard to find elite quarterbacks. … But it’s not just Drew.”

— Keim called the play of guard Jonathan Cooper a “bright spot.” “He knocked some rust off,” Keim said, and while Cooper still needs to tighten up technically, “he finally looks like the guy we drafted in terms of quickness and movement. He looked, compared to the other four offensive linemen we had out there, like he was playing at a different speed. He looked very explosive.”

Not surprisingly, Keim said he expects to see a lot more of Cooper, but with Fanaika’s injury, that may have been a given anyway.

— Keim said Patrick Peterson’s issues covering Julio Jones came down to the same issues of making sure he was technically sound, an area that Keim has previously talked about wanting to be more consistent from his cornerback. As for Peterson’s talk earlier in the week about winning a matchup with Jones, “You hate to take away a guy’s swagger,” Keim said, “but at the same time he’s got to compete and he’s got to produce.”

74 Responses
to “Keim: “We have two options””

That opening run by Jackson definitely set the tone. The missed tackles were one thing, but what was disturbing was watching Powers and Cromartie essentially give Jackson a police escort starting at about the 30, with each appearing afraid to tackle him. Bring him down when you have the chance and there’s a good chance they hold them to 3. Disappointing effort to say the least.

Is there any interest in Ray Rice? I’m sure it’ll be a PR fiasco for whichever team picks him up, but lets face it.. if Michael Vick can sign a $100 million contract after his stint in Federal Prison, Ray Rice will be in a uniform next year.

Hey Darren–Hope all is cool! Rough one for the Card’s yesterday. I think Keim is correct in looking at yesterdays game. Just too many mistakes by the team–you just cant win on the road playing like that. The Card’s somehow have to get more out of the run game and I think Bush is going to get carries next week against KC.
Cards must respond at home and stop the bleeding. Last two games the Cards lost the turnover battle and subsequently lost the games. They have to reverse that trend and get back to winning the turnover battle like they did during their win streak. It would be great for the Cards to try to jump out to a lead in this next game–cannot continue to play from behind. My biggest concern is these injuries—at some point it has to take its toll if they keep occurring — three more yesterday. But like Keim said no one is going to feel sorry for you. ,Im still going to stick to my formula for the Cards to win games–1) must take advantage of their home-field—2-)must win the turnover battle 3)must overachieve on defense. — Still if you told anyone you would be 9-3 at this point — all Cards fans would take it!!!
Darren—I know its early in the week–but with Ellington banged up –I think Bush has to give them multiple rushing attempts next week to help Stanton out—Don’t you think????

Butler has to be replaced, horriable punter. Ellington needs to sit out for awhile. Peterson, Jeez im at a lost for words, never thought he could stink that bad, stop complaining that its hard to go man on man, thats your duty!! The whole offense is just slow and weak anymore, weak hands and weak legs. Cardinals got to do some soul seraching this week. BA no more nice guy, no more nap times.

Cooper looked average at best. I watched him pull and miss his guy completely, while he tackled the RB for a yard loss. “He looks like the guy we drafted” “Moving at a different speed than the other offensive lineman”
What the hell were you watching?

Yes Keim, Cooper was superman. He was was faster than John Brown, and quicker than Ellington. At times I thought I was watching Larry Allen out there. It was the other 4 guys fault we couldn’t run.

So disappointed with the Cards play yesterday, All three phases was in jet lag mode?
Darren any talk of Kiem getting Ray Rice? I know Jimmy Johnson brought it up at half time yesterday? I think everyone needs a second chance and our running game is nil right now? At this point anything would be an improvement?

Also is there any chance of PP returning a few punts to re-ignite our return game? Ginn isnt doing what he supposed to?

Next man up is fine, except when it is your QB. I just don’t know how this team will beat the Chiefs, Hawks, Rams, and Niners with Stanton at QB.

Stanton is so inaccurate that teams just need to take away the big play and we are done. He cannot find receivers at 7-15 yards and consistently hit them and move the ball 70-80 yards. That ball he threw to Floyd that was picked was 3 yards behind him and 5 yards over his head. Floyd was all by himself ! The DB who picked it was 10 yards down the field. and Keim says tight windows.

Peterson has been so inconsistent this year, you have to wonder if Keim made another huge mistake by signing him to that huge contract before he needed to. Best CB ??? I can think of a half dozen guys playing better.

Minter was finally replaced by Carson after missing several tackles. But you have to admit, when we went 4-3 and our LBs were Foote, Carson and Bucannon, I am sure the Falcons were not scared. .

The one thing that has been consistent all year has been the run defense. Are guys just wearing down ? I mean, Foote thought he was playing 4 games, Tommy Kelly, Frostee Rucker are playing a lot of snaps.

Our special teams have been inconsistent all year. Sure we block punts but we give up blocks and run backs.

Everyone is saying Larry would have made a difference. But no knock on Larry, but guys were open and Stanton had issues hitting them.

On a positive note, our two MVPs this year have been Rashad Johnson and Jerrod Powers. These two guys show up every game.

I see another 10-6 missing the playoffs again.
Stanton is getting worse, the defense took the day off and the play calling was very curious.
This team needs another offseason to be legit to go deep into the playoffs.
A healthy Palmer, another RB, more pass rushers and an overall better health of the team. (I could go off on Peterson, Stanton, etc, but it does not good)

Cards Defense didn’t show up and certainly didn’t want any part of tackling Steven Jackson. Disappointing to say the least. The Cards offense doesn’t look much better than it did under Whisenhunt. Let’s hope they don’t get the bright idea of putting Linley in there. Deja vu. Without a run game teams are going to focus on pressuring Drew. Regarding the lackluster run game, why not put 7 linemen in on running plays. Clearly the Cards Tight Ends aren’t interested in blocking nor can they move defensive ends. New England does it and they are running the ball effectively. Also, why are we running right so much, I would like to see us run left more towards Jason Veldheer. Clearly he is the best linemen we have. and I give him props especially on pass protection.

Darren,
Keim has done a lot of good things for the Cards but signing PP (when he did and for huge money) was a big mistake. As I have mentioned, PP has become too big for the position- both his head and the rest of the body.
Everyone wants to talk Stanton- and I agree he’s not a top-flite QB BUT:
1) With 6 minutes left in the 1st quarter, we are down 17-0 on the road to a desperate team. How can you blame the QB?
2) Carson Palmer is better than Stanton but he would NOT have been good enough to win the last two games away. Both Seattle and Atl could have scored more against our defense if they needed the points. CP looked pretty ordinary against the Rams at home and was bailed out by Stanton.
3) In 2012, we were 4-0 and went to St Loo- Danny Amendola schooled PP. And then yesterday JJ could have set an NFL record if ATL so desired. Deja vu.
4) Our gambling defense is great when it guesses right and horrid on the other plays. Yesterday, MRyan was 30-41 and about 7 of the misses were Ryan’s own inaccuracy. What has Ryan ever won??
5) Stanton had a good 1st quarter against a very good Lions defense- so he can do it, hopefully, on a more consistent basis.
6) Our vaunted defense is probably the healthiest defense in the NFL. I am sure the loss of DW, Shaunessy, and the aging Dockett and Abraham could probably be met and surpassed by most other NFL teams if not all of them.

To all the Rice haters: if his wife can forgive him why can’t you? To deprive him of his vocation is to punish the victim one more time. SHE deserves a break. The PC police need to look in the mirror…let the one who has not sinned cast the first stone…

What if there is a Rice “hater” — i.e., someone who has a big problem with how he treated his wife — on the roster currently? There are 60 guys down there. Hard to believe some of them don’t have a problem with it. Then you bring it into the locker room. What about that?

It is time for me to finally fall in with JTDG regarding Cooper. I wanted to remain optimistic. I pretty much spent the 2nd half watching Cooper just hoping for a bright spot but it wasn’t there. He got pushed around, missed guys, and just seemed generally confused at times. Keim is going full politician on us with that evaluation.

This game was on the players thinking they could just go in and take it from the Falcons. Just because we lost against Seattle doesn`t automatically mean that we will go into another stadium and get a W. The Falcons were annother team that was desperate for a W much like the Seahawks were to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Teams that are desperate are the most dangerous teams to play. We have another one this week against a Chiefs team that is up against the wall and we need to be the more desperate team and bring the intensity. I still believe Stanton can get the job done but he really needs to work on his mid range accuracy. Our defense will be fine this was a wake up call for them most especially PP. I expect a fast start this Sunday and a team coming out swinging from kickoff til the end of the game like we are use to seeing from our team. GO RED BIRDS AND RISE UP RED SEA!!!

Interesting that Keim avoided any comment about Fitz not playing. When commentators talked about players being out yesterday NONE said anything about Fitz being injured only that he wasn’t playing. I put yesterday’s loss squarely on the shoulders of Arians/Keim for
1. Not using the resources we have available
2. Not designing plays to take advantage of Drew’s strengths (he can scramble and do some things better than Palmer)
3. Being stubborn in insisting on using Ellington as an every down back and hanging our offensive success on one person (again point #1)
4. Not doing their homework about the Falcon’s strengths, better assessing matchups and underestimating veterans “in their declining years”, i.e.Steven Jackson.
5. Not leading by example with the same intensity as before the Seahawks game. How can we expect our team to come out fast, play smart, and finish strong if even our coaches APPEAR apathetic and don’t even challenge calls?
6. Not getting the team proficient in the basics of catching, blocking, guarding and PROTECTING THE FOOTBALL!
Blaming everything on Stanton is cheap…yeah, blame the backup. This was a team loss and that includes those responsible for designing the plays and making the decisions about who plays.
Let’s press the reset button and learn from this humiliiating loss by protecting the nest and defeating the Chiefs with some INTENSITY!

Fairweather fan frenzy sweeping the fanbase.
I can just feel them checking out the current NFL standings, looking for their new bandwagon team. Better get your flu shots, cause you’ll feel sick seeing these birds put the hurt on the league with their backs to the wall.
I’ll be floatin on a pool filled with Walgreen’s brand fake blood, buoyed by the ripped out hearts of phony fairweather wannabe fans.

100% confident in a Cardinals rebound. Can’t wait to see the haters chokin’ on Shehawk bones.

The defense gave up 2 TD’s and actually got one of them back. Then they gave up 5 filed goals after being put in bad position for most of them. No way can you blame the defense. They are allowed to have a below average game every once in a while. This offense has had most of the starter’s for most of the season. No run game and maybe average to below average passing. We have an Offensive head coach that has had the same players for a couple of years and we are still not making progress.

I have been a die hard loyal CARDINALS fan for over 40years,I started watching them in st Louis when Jim Hart was the Quarterback ,AND DON COREIALL WAS THE COACH,I CAN’T COUNT ALL THE DISAPOINTING SEASONS THAT STARTED WITH SUCH HIGH HOPES,ONLY TO END A HUGE DIAPOINTMENT,WE NEED TO DRAFT OUR FUTURE QUARTERBACK NOW IN THIS UPCOMMING DRAFT TO LEARN BEHIND CARSON PALMER,we need to get some better guards on the o line, we need to find out if Darryl Washington can stay out of trouble ,and if not get rid of him pro bowler or not,we need more players with Larry Fitzgerald attitude and work ethic,professionalism etc.that’s next season!! As for this season ,Drew Stanton is our QUARTERBACK!! I think our short term game plans need to focus on getting out to an early lead and then run run run the ball again and again ,even if it seems we’re not getting anywhere,drew Stanton doesn’t need to throw more than 20-25 passes /game he’s to inaccurate, also running a couple more times with Stanton wouldn’t hurt,he’s more mobile than Carson Palmer is this will give our defence time to rest up before they are called upon to do there Damn jobs !!! Witch is not letting the other teams offence score touchdowns…I was absolutely embarrassed at the pathetic effort put forth by our defence in Atlanta(as well as for the rest of the team coaching on down) what’s done is done,let’s move on prep for CHIEFS,LIKE PROFESIONALS AND EARN YOUR PAY,NO EXCUSES…witch you DON’T HAVE TO MAKE WHEN YOU WIN!!! We HAVE A GOLDEN OPOTUNITY HERE GUYS DON’T LET IT SLIP THROUGH YOUR HANDS,PROTECT OUR HOME FIELD NO ONE COMES TO OUR HOUSE AND LEAVES WITH A WIN!!! Still a loyal CARDINALS FAN ,DON’T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN, MAKE it HAPPEN !!!GO CARDDINALS.

I don’t disagree often with what you say, but this one has me scratching my head.

“Not getting the team proficient in the basics of catching, blocking, guarding and PROTECTING THE FOOTBALL!”

I would think at this point in their career and for what they’re getting paid, the players should have the Basics down and it’s only a small part of the coaching to teach Basics.

Obviously if we’re facing a team that thrives on forcing turnovers or making players miss tackles that should be pointed out to the players, but I would put most of the fundamentals and basics on the players.

I understand being upset at this loss (I had to force myself to stay for the entire game), but we are still tied for first and own the tiebreaks for home field advantage. I’m still gut punched at the last two losses. I see basics at this level as on the players. All other points you made I would agree on. Thanks for listening to an old Dyno my friend.

“The future is yours, but it won’t just happen to your advantage. And if you don’t grasp on to it and hold it tightly, then other hands more determined and bloody than your own will wrench it from you and take it on a different course.” – Unknown

The last two weeks other hands have been more determined and bloody than our own. It’s time for this team to grasp their future tightly as they have the entire season. Do not let a playoff desperate Chiefs team come into our house and be more determined than our Cardinals. We can win with Stanton at the helm. I know because We Have Won With Stanton At The Helm.

We can win with the “run” game we have. I know because we were 9-1 (and are now 9-3) with this “run” game. Or lack of it, either way it helped us to 9-1.

The wheels haven’t fallen off, we can do this. I know because our track record proves it. We have stood up to and beaten some of the best the NFC has to offer (three playoff teams to date) and a Rams that has beaten the Broncos AND laid 52 unanswered points on the Raiders who just beat the Chiefs.

…your response…. hard to get my mind around. I guess you felt the needed to state the obvious to dismiss the notion, and I don’t fault you for it, but your point doesn’t end the inquiry … its just the start:

“What if there is a Rice “hater” …”? EVERYONE has a problem with how he treated his wife, so all the players hate him for it. I HATE him for it. Of course its a risk…but that’s why you have leaders, to lead. A man is more than his worse act or moment. Players fail many times, every game, on the field. Those are life lessons. Why not apply them to real life?

Football is not about Political Correctness and pandering to those who would impose their judgments on others … Its just a 100 yard field and a crooked ball … its about failure and overcoming adversity. Foote’s our leader, he knows all about it…

The facts are that the Appellate Ruling was that Rice was double punished, a double down on the penalty in a reaction to the PC Police.

I thinks its 99% the Cards wont sign Rice, also think his wife deserves a break… and his signing would show the locker room and the fans the Cards are in it to win it. That’s what I care about.

I can’t argue against not taking the risk, but suspect every NFL Team is more worried about the reaction of the Left Wing Media than their fans or that in the locker room…fwiw…

This will be the last part of my comment in this debate, because it’s a rabbit hole I don’t really want to go down.

But I think there needs to be real clarity when you are talking about this being “political correctness.” I agree there are things out there that fall prey to PC notions. And in truth, that line probably moves around depending on whose perspective you are taking into account.

I am not naive. I understand every person out there — NFL player or not — has flaws, some worse than others. And there is a sliding scale for these things as a player, because from a talent standpoint, it’s easy to see for instance Adrian Peterson > Ray Rice > Jonathan Dwyer.

I get why Rice shouldn’t be suspended. That’s the part, IMO, where the PC comes in. He served his suspension. It should be over. What is not PC, IMO, is the decision by teams not to sign him. Whether it is backlash from fans or a personal preference does not matter. I know what you care about, and I know you are not the only one. But I also know there are others who care about the other part of this equation, and it’s awfully dismissive to claim that feeling is simply a PC reaction. I think it goes a heck of a lot deeper than that for some.

Clearly, you don’t hate him for it because I think that would color your view. Think of how strong “hate” is. I’m sure you don’t condone it. But it doesn’t matter to you as much as the football output. OK. That’s fine. But that’s not the only “right” way to think.

The Oline and Tight Ends need to make plays for the run game to work. Take a look at this Oline and TE analysis of the Cardinals. It explains our blocking issues. Even Tom Brady wouldn’t have a run game with this approach.

– The offense has not had a single game this season where it was “clicking”, despite the record. When the wins are coming it sounds like nit-picking, but when the chips are down and we need that side of the ball to carry the load they are MIA. Stanton is a big part of the problem, but I’m thinking that Arians and the OC are getting exposed as well.

– Andre Ellington is starting to show why his days as a starting back are numbered. Yes, he is injured, but his frailties and lack of endurance (game-wise and season-wise) are making him unreliable, even beyond this season. Stephan Taylor is a marginal back at best, which makes Keim’s ability to draft RBs (Williams, Taylor, Ellington) suspect as well.

– Speaking of draft prowess, Floyd, Minter, Niklas, Martin, Fleming, Housler are shaky picks, given their respective rounds. I remain optimistic on Cooper, despite the lack of evidence to support it.

– PP’s contract was ill-advised, and will look ugly for years to come. Prediction – PP eventually gets moved to safety. His ball skills are best when he gets to watch a play develop from a distance. When was the last time you saw him even turn his head around to pick up the ball during coverage??? Lots of money to pay a shadow for WRs.

– With Stanton and the offense being exposed, Cards will struggle to win another game. Missing the playoffs is a real possibility, and winning a wildcard game on the road is highly unlikely. What a comedown….

last article you wrote “Live by the blitz; die by the blitz. Blitzing on every other play against good QB’s is just not working.”

Not working?

Rivers, E. Manning, Kaepernick (sp), Foles, Romo, Stafford and Peyton (we were in the game until we lost Shaughnessy (sp), Campbell and Stanton, it was working until then)

We’re tied for the best record in the entire NFL at 9-3 and currently (In understand this could change) and currently own the tie break for home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

Blitzing hasn’t worked for three games, but then two of those games we didn’t have intensity to match around our entire game, not just the blitzing.

I don’t think so. It has nothing to do with you in particular. If you truly hate someone, I don’t see how you could embrace them on your team. I don’t even believe many of those who don’t want Ray Rice hate him in the truest sense of the word.

There was a quote on last years website…”ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS, IS YOURS WORTH CATCHING” This is a team sport and as such, there is not 1 guy on this team that decides WINS from LOSSES. Sure PP was beat all day, but where was the pass rush? Sure the Crow watched Steve Jackson run by, where were the linebackers? AE struggles to run the ball. Where is the run blocking? QB has accuracy issues. Receivers drop balls. This team forgot to play for one another. Don’t really want to hear excuses…I cover the best…I create matchup problems, I have to do better…..I…..I……I……I……I…….. HOW ABOUT..I DO IT FOR MY BROTHER, I DO IT FOR MY COACH, I DO IT FOR MY ORGANIZATION….I AM A CARDINAL!

That had to be one of the funniest and most apt things I’ve ever read on this blog. I was trying to find a way myself to describe it, and couldn’t sum up my feelings any better than those two words. I mean, sometimes you watch a guy running two yards ahead of the defender for fifty yards and you know the defender’s not going to catch him and is going to make a final desperate, unsuccessful dive at the 10 yard line. But that’s not what happened on that play. Cro was basically running roughly even with or a half-step behind Jackson and didn’t even try to tackle him. It was terrible.

We can not put all of the blame for the two losses on Stanton. There is enough blame to go around, and both O and D deserve some of it. Our receivers played like high school players. Our CB’s didn’t appear to want to tackle anyone. Ginn goes down at the first contact. Stanton should take his share too but so should all of the rest of the team, and the Coaches. The coaching staff should have had them better prepared.

Darren,
I agree with you that Ray Rice should not be signed. The Cards run an organization with the high moral values of the Bidwill family. Aside from the recent news on DW and Dwyer, a person would be hard pressed to find bad news within the Cards family unless we go back to the days of Luis Sharpe and most of that happened post playing days.
That being said Ray Rice got caught on camera. How many other incidents don’t make it to law enforcement because an NFL wife or girlfriend decides not press charges against her “meal ticket”. If asked the question, I would say that more than 50% of NFL players have used excessive force against a wife or girlfriend- but fortunately for them, there were no cameras around.

Of course the oline is a huge issue in the run game. I have been saying our two guards have played very poorly for about 4-5 weeks now on this blog.

I also think Ellington takes losses when he could plow for two yards.

But we can’t just think something, it must be based in fact.

In Stanton’s 6 starts we average 65 yards per game
In Palmer’s 6 starts, we average 85 yards per game.

In the Rams game, in which Palmer started, we only had 28 yards rushing. If you took that one game out, Palmer’s starts would average 96 yards per game.

That is a 20 yard a game difference / 30 yards with the exclusion of the rams. To take it a step further, in the last 3 games Stanton has started, the cards have averaged 48 yards per game.

So, the stats tell me there is a difference with Stanton in there. I also know Palmer is not Brady (even though I am a fan). So, yes, I think Brady playing QB behind this line could have a running game.

I don’t know. What’s the number for men in general? And are you saying just NFL players? What about college? High school?

You say, ‘Don’t bite the hand.’ I say, careful now, you never spend any time around any of these guys.

It’s your version of “So when did you stop beating your wife?”

Again, you come up with your funny lines, and yet, zero evidence. Give me why you say that — other than your own blind guess. If there is a report, or scholarly paper, or something, I’d love to see the link. Heck, tell me your line of work that might give you insight. Anything, other than essentially stereotyping.

@ JTDG
re: running game (or lack of it)
In Palmer’s hay day this year- the 4 games Redskins, Raiders, Eagles and Cowboys, the Cards averaged about 3.4 yds p/c. In the Raiders’ game it took 37 carries to get 123 yds for 3.3yds p/c. And these were all games where the Cards were close or ahead and some semblance of a balanced offense could be maintained.
The run offense hasn’t been even close to good all year regardless of the QB. Based on your analytical capabilities- if you started working on the 2024 draft right now, by the time we get there, I think you could be the go-to guy.

Darren,
re- excessive physical force
I would say the same thing about the highly amped up players in the NBA or the English Premier Soccer League.
My basic premise is that these guys can’t “compartmentalize” their aggressive behavior to just the field of play.

Understand the premise. But you start throwing out numbers like you know. And you do not. It is only a theory. I’m not saying none of them do it. I just question your desire to put a number on it, and a high number at that, without proof.

I am a Virginia Cardinals fan. Its our state bird right. Two things are apparent to me. Wait for it!

1) The rookie Logan Thomas needs to get the nod. After you stop laughing think about this.
A) He is bigger and can see field better. The throws Stanton is woefully missing the big gun rookie snaps with ease. Remember the 85yd td in Denver? The long ball is no problem either. He can throw the ball as far as anybody in the NFL. You have nothing to lose. The team will rally around a rookie watch. Pay attention Arians…
2) the D is good but #21&#31 need to step up.

Pay attention coach go with the rookie. Otherwise it is going to be rough.

Well, it took 12 games to get there but there is such a feeling ( for me, anyway ) that we just lost ( GAVE AWAY, really ) the game that is going to do us in as far as the playoffs are concerned. Atlanta was BY FAR the “easiest” game left on the schedule and a win would have preserved a 2-game cusion in the division that we could PROBABLY have hung onto in order to win the division.

The one-game lead we now have looks too thin for this team to hold onto. So, there goes the division title and there goes the ability to start the playoffs at home. The Cardinals needed that. Period. I do NOT see this team going to Seattle, Philly, or Green Bay and giving those teams a game. Anywhere else they would have to go would be indoors at least, but….playing as they are right now, does that even matter???

Just me, but I think we just gave away our season to the 4-7 Atlanta Falcons. 2 days ago, we had the inside track for the top seed in the conf. As we sit here today, we look more like a 6 seed – in terms of our record. Looking at how we actually PLAYED yesterday, we DO NOT even look like a team that should be making the playoffs. Wow….

Had to do some driving this morning so I got to listen to a lot of radio. So yes, there are going to be people who will not forgive and they will allow the worst 30 seconds of an otherwise good man’s life define him forever. I think that is a sad truth.

We are generally a people who believe in second chances.

These superstar athletes live in the public spot light. I would think that most of them are empathetic to the Rice family. I don’t know. You live around these guys Darren; and when you say the things you have, well, I believe you have an enlightened opinion and speak from experience. It’s nice to have an insiders POV.

I guess the risk reward just isn’t there. Certainly,even with normal circumstances, it would be a long shot that Rice could make any difference at this point in the season. As a desperate fan, I’d like for us to take that shot. I simply don’t see what else we can do at this point. But it’s not going to happen, so be it. I do believe if the coaches thought Thomas or Lindley were the answer, they would make the move.

There’s a lot of frustration on this blog. Understandably so. Like a lot of you I’ve already cleared my calendar every weekend in January and Feb 1. I/We have had high expectations. It’s fun to route for a winner. And regardless of what happens the next 4 games, we are winners! I like that we have an organization that sees winning is he best path to prosperity!

It’s been a great run. I think we have run out of pieces and Palmer was the final blow. The way the players have played the past two games seems to indicate they feel the same way.

Is it me or does it look like after P.P got his contract that he is only going through the motions. Julio exploited what looks to be either his laziness or his comfort that people call him one of the best corner backs in the NFL. All I know is that game should be a wake up call to him. He is not the best in the NFL.

I see where BA commented on PP talking big before the game and not being able to back it up. There is what he said in public. And then there is the plain English version. Which would probably go something like –

“Yo, Peterson, shut the F up and just play the damn game.”

And I would absolutely applaud that. Right now – and it ain’t the first time I felt that way this season – I wish they had kept a lot of that money for Cro or Fitz or anyone else that is more deserving of it.

Been a few years since I bought a jersey and I am SOOOO glad I never put the money out for one with his name on it.

I did not understand anything last week and still do not understand !!!
I still do not understand those who say they are fans and who write on this blog.
It is true that everyone has the right to write what they think, but I think it is not right to get to this point of the season and find all defects to the team. I must be honest, and also I am saddened by the two straight losses, but in the same way that I remained quiet for our 9-1, I do not shot down for two defeats, that can happen!
It is true, we played badly, but all the flaws we discover them only now?
Until a few days ago I read only enthusiastic comments, today I read only negative comments! I’m curious about what will happen after our victory against Kansas City and the defeat of Seattle to Philadelphia! You’ll still be all ready, in the front row, to jump on the bandwagon?
Well, I do not want you!
Love a team, in my opinion, is to give love to the team and support it at times when he needs us, at times when all the players, coaches, managers need to feel our love, our proximity. Need not be demoralized. I am convinced that they, like us, suffer defeat, but to know that now, more than two weeks ago, we are close to them, we support them and love them more than before, it could be the first impulse for a new winning streak , a new dose of energy to drive them to the playoffs!
greetings from Italy
GO CARDS !!!
We learn to love our team. As in a marriage. In good and bad days!

Dynosar…
You are correct my friend, professional football players SHOULD be proficient in the basics but it seems to be the little things, the details, that trip us up. PROTECTING THE BALL should be primary (after, of course catching it). The real greats of the game work on these skills continuously, 12 months a year, throughout their career. This isn’t some 9-5 or seasonal job.
Peyton Manning DEMANDS his receivers put in extra time with him and while BA can’t do that because of the CBA, one would think that anyone who was this close at a shot at the Lombardi would VOLUNTEER to get together with his peers to toss the pigskin around…and, I would think a coach would STRONGLY encourage independent study or at least spend significant time polishing these basis skills. That’s what I was referring to.

I’m definitely on the “don’t sign Rice” bandwagon. As much as our run game is hurting, I think the Cardinals would probably lose me as a fan if they signed him and I’m sure there are others who would do the same.

I have a much younger brother who’s still a teenager and a HUGE Ravens fan and was particularly a Ray Rice fan. The thought that his “idol/hero/whatever” can knock his girlfriend out, and then shortly after get some new lucrative contract sets a bad precedent and a bad taste in my mouth.

For the same reason, I hope Washington doesn’t come back to the Cardinals. Between the drug stuff and the domestic violence issues, I don’t want guys like that as role models to young people. I don’t care if he’s an incredibly talented player.

And I don’t think Michael Vick is a particularly good comparison as Vick has repeatedly and publicly apologized for his actions, spent time in jail atoning for his actions, and has proven through donations to animal shelters and the like that he wants to make amends. That’s the type of guy who deserves a second chance. Rice hits his girlfriend, then marries the girl AND potentially gets a fresh contract. Where is the consequences for his actions? No thanks.

We don’t need wife beaters on this team. We need men who can focus and get the job done. Stanton needs to focus and get some attitude. Have you seen Brady on the sideline lately? Drew needs to get a backbone and LEAD!

No, its not. The “next man up” has become “no men left”. Ya’ll can curse the injury bug, but I blame the change in the str and conditioning coach. I don’t know why we replaced the best S&C coach we’ve ever had, but I am not enjoying the injury list… at all…. Optimists and pessimists… meet realism… this coach has a directly proportional influence on how many players get injured. The best coaching job this team has ever seen, is getting ruined by a bad decision with one single staffing decision. Please don’t tell me the new guy is his brother-in-law. Is John Lott still available??

Some interesting views on a topic that is never boring, that is for sure.

I kinda agree on Vick. He did / was involved in facilitating horrific things. But he went to prison for 2 years and paid the debt that the legal system said he owed. I think it humbled him and I think he was truly grateful for a chance to come back to the NFL to resume his career. And he played it pretty well when he got that chance. I really don’t have a problem with that.

Washington? I do want to see him back next year because I want to see him turn it around. too. The legal system did what it thought was adequate. So did the NFL and I’m glad he was suspended because he needed to get the message that you can’t do what he did and keep your job in the NFL. After a year suspended, I want to see if he has taken it to heart and made himself a better person. But if he lands in trouble one more time for substance abuse, domestic abuse, etc….then goodbye. He’s done and he should be done.

As a general premise, I think it is important for people to have second chances, chances to make themselves better and to come back to society with something to offer. Yeah, there are limits but I still believe in the premise.

I can’t see a team touching Rice this year, nor do I think they should. Next year, though? When the world has had a chance to let it fade….and there have been other players in trouble to dominate the headlines ( sad, but we know there will be some )….and there are teams in need of a RB…..chances are, he’ll be playing again. IF he stays out of trouble, out of the spotlight, says and does ONLY all of the right things? He’ll be back. Not saying that is good, but I think it happens.

Georgie… I understand your determination to knock the men who have abused their women, though the numbers are bizarre, but you only hinted at the concept of the “”meal ticket”” women.

It will clarify your position better to explain the gold diggers that entice,, and then trap some men to begin relationships with nothing but lies. Can estrogen be worse than testosterone? It creates resentment? There should be no assaults from either side.

Incidentally, my position for acceptance is on an individual case by case basis.

Do we want these men who the kids want to emulate to be the best of the best? And how do we explain to them that it is OK for felons to be on the big screen.

Honestly Ya’ll, in one week literally my confidence in this whole coaching staff has changed!!! Which means I’m going out on a limb here!
I’ve already stated a few times…PP what were you thinking/doing??? You are… & for weeks I been hearing about your penalties for being too physical??? So my question is? why would you give up your physical advantage of being a press cover corner to being a cover corner??? You R not Deion! You are PP! You are gifted! U R Built like a Brick Shit House! Yet Quick & Fast! Your gifts are ???
Infantesimle!!! “Thought that was a big word?” Anyhow,,,
Well…you have the opportunity to rewrite history! So why would you let a big man like JJ get a free check off of the line??? That is not at all how you played CJ!!! I mean you were off on a few plays… but I believe that was merely down & distance…I want to hear what the coveted Todd Bowles has to say? And yet we have not! I for one question why PP played JJ this way??? I don’t remember this at all in the past & I do remember JJ was out last year… I mean look at the Dallas
game, PP was all in Dez B’s grill! 2 for 15 on 10 targets! I just don’t get this!!! Am I the only one ?

And I’ve said this b4…BA… Just stick Robert Hughes in there & run the damn ball
25-30 times & lets see what happens! Seriously, I just don’t get it? I know what I would do!

The coaching staff is allowed a bad game or two in my view. Arians is a master coach. But let’s face it…he has done wonders with a team that is still not quite ready for prime time. We are light years better than the Whisenhunt days, but still we have a ways to go. So Mr. Kiem…how about an assessment of yourself? How about a real quarterback to replace Carson? Someone who can actually play in the league? How about a running back who can pound the ball? I hope Bush is the solution, but as a Bears fan, I dunno. How about not running a banged up Ellington between the tackles? He’s getting creamed. How about suggesting some pass plays that don’t involve Stanton throwing into a tight window. He can’t do it. How about telling Michael Floyd to get a little tougher? How about getting some fundamental training for Peterson? There is more to playing corner than speed. Didn’t we learn that from Dominique Rogers-Cromartie? Who’s going to replace Todd Bowles next year? What are the three coaches we are missing? How about a strength coach who knows how to keep the players out of the training room? Please Mr. Kiem. We know we are not competitive yet. We are not on par with the Patriots and the Broncos and Packers. The record is, but the talent is not. When are you and the Bidwills going to realize you have to get talent in this league to win? Our third string needs to be better than anybody else’s first string. Fix yourself first, then throw stones. Cardinal fans want and deserve a real winner who can rise to any occasion, and we don’t have it yet. We have the right coach, but he won’t be able to make chicken sale out of chicken …. forever. NIne and three is awesome. If we win three out of the next four, I’ll be impressed. We can. But will we?

I think the Ray Rice haters are missing one big thing. The woman he hit married him. Is she insane, or does she know something you don’t? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I’ve seen a woman cold cock a man before and knock him out. I don’t believe anyone, man or woman should be hit. But there are circumstances where it is necessary. And I’m quite sure we don’t know the whole story of this incident, only the sound bites and sensationalize part. EVERYONE deserves a second chance…and a third…and a fourth…and a fifth…at least God in His grace says so. Maybe we should follow God’s lead for once, in our compassion and in our comments.